It was inevitable really. Google has appointed the first-ever YouTube orchestra, with over 90 musicians being selected based on video auditions uploaded to the video-sharing website. Over 3,000 people submitted applications, with selections based on online votes and the opinions of classical specialists from renowned orchestras. The winning contestants, representing nearly 30 countries, will come together April 12 in New York City to take master classes from a variety of music experts. They will then perform at the Carnegie Hall on April 15 under the tutelage of Michael Tilson Thomas.
In many ways, this is merely the next step from the likes of American Idol and The X-Factor in the U.K. Classical music has always had a higher barrier to entry, mainly because of the sophistication required to play a cello, violin, trumpet, etc. But Calvin Lee, one of the lucky few to be selected for the YouTube orchestra, admitted that he had “barely played his violin for the last 15 years.” This is compared with the months of preparation typical classical music auditions entail.
The winners are clearly adept at their instruments and undoubtedly have much more talent than the Kelly Clarksons and Leona Lewises of this world. But when you have Timothy Lee, Google’s product marketing manager (ah, now we understand), arguing that "classical music is hungry for innovation,” is this really what we should be expecting? Music has become so dull for us we need big corporate marketing gimmicks to reinvigorate our interest? That’s not innovation! That’s making a quick buck!
